Bikes represent 12 per cent of all vehicle trips on Commercial, and 10 per cent on Point Grey, according to the city, which is considering alternatives ranging from separated bike lanes similar to those on Hornby and Dunsmuir to painted bike lanes and traffic-calming measures.

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Simon Lavoie has had his share of close calls cycling along Vancouver’s Cornwall Avenue.

Thankfully, nothing too serious has happened: usually he encounters a few doors being flung open, cars turning right in front of him, and nearly being side-swiped.

“It’s so tight in there and there’s so much traffic,” he said.

Lavoie, who lives in Kitsilano, said the route, which turns into Point Grey Road — an even narrower and more congested traffic corridor — is a prime candidate for a bike lane to make it safer for cyclists.

The City of Vancouver said this week it is considering Cornwall, Point Grey and a section of Commercial Drive for potential bike lanes to reduce cyclist-driver crashes in the area, which are among the busiest cycle routes in the city.

Bikes represent 12 per cent of all vehicle trips on Commercial, and 10 per cent on Point Grey, according to the city, which is considering alternatives ranging from separated bike lanes similar to those on Hornby and Dunsmuir to painted bike lanes and traffic-calming measures.

Lavoie said a painted line would be a better alternative for Cornwall because it would take up less space than a separated lane. But he doesn’t believe any bikeway is suitable for Point Grey Road because any infrastructure there would take away from the already narrow road, infringe on resident parking and make the roads more congested. “It’s kind of like a mini-highway so it can get a little dicey,” he said.

A Vancouver Sun reporter who cycled along Point Grey and Cornwall Friday afternoon did find some dicey sections. Along Cornwall, a driver showed his displeasure by honking, while others gunned the engine and passed a bit too close. In one case, a resident inadvertently opened the driver’s car door on Cornwall, forcing the cyclist to swerve toward the lane of traffic.

But for the most part, drivers were courteous, especially on Point Grey, where they would cross over the centre line to pass and make room for cyclists.

Brenda Warden, a Surrey resident who used to live in Vancouver and cycle frequently on Cornwall, said a bikeway would help reduce the “hairy” situation along the route.

But Dave Vukets, a cyclist who works at Musette Cafe on Burrard Street, worries that a bikeway would funnel more vehicle traffic to already congested routes such as Fourth Avenue and deter diehard cyclists from what he said is a popular training route.

He also noted there’s a cycling path on West Third Avenue, just two blocks up from Cornwall, where cyclists can relax and take their time.

“I would rather see drivers become more respectful of cyclists,” Vukets said, noting it would benefit everyone if they could share the roads. “You shouldn’t have to have designated streets. It doesn’t solve the root problem, which is people not respecting cyclists on the road. ”

Cyclist Phil Vernon agreed, but noted cyclists also have to be more aware of their surroundings and respect drivers. “It doesn’t really matter. You could have the right of way and get hit,” he said.

Between 2006 and 2010 there were six accidents on Commercial Drive at each intersection at Broadway and 10th Avenue. There were also 10 bike-vehicle accidents on Cornwall at the west end of Burrard Bridge, and another six on Cornwall at Cypress Street.

The Insurance Corp. of B.C. maintains drivers and cyclists share the blame in collisions, with inattention or failing to yield the right-of-way the main causes of crashes. Cyclists also contribute to accidents by riding on the wrong side of the road, riding through stop signs or red lights, and ignoring other traffic control devices.

Piers Lund, who both drives and cycles along Cornwall to get downtown, said the area around Cypress and Cornwall is particularly bad for bike-car collisions. He often takes back streets once he gets off the Burrard Bridge to avoid the busy traffic.

“I’d say it’s quite dangerous for a cyclist,” Lund said. “I’ve had a few cars come close to me.”

Meanwhile, a bicycle ride along Commercial Drive early Friday morning offered more breathing room for The Sun’s reporter cyclist, mainly because there wasn’t as much traffic and there was fairly ample room to cycle alongside parked cars for much of the route.

Novice cyclists, though, may tense up as they near Commercial and 10th Avenue or Commercial and Broadway because there’s no parking lane and pedestrians and vehicles are streaming in from all directions.

In one case, the cyclist was forced to zip over into the next lane because the right curb lane was blocked by a UPS delivery truck turning right. In another case, a car turning right onto Commercial sped toward the corner and appeared to be coming straight toward the cyclist.

The city plans to start public consultations on the proposed bikeway expansions or improvements, which are worth $3 million, this summer.

ksinoski@vancouversun.com

with a file from Jeff Lee

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